quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

quote:

Originally posted by Ready Aim Shoot:

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

The Zambezi valley might be more humid than other regions nearby but a joke compared to serious humid areas in the world were there is no oxygen in the air to breath and you sweat 24hrs/day, all year long.

What is your definition of a "serious" or high humidity level?

Areas in South America and Central America.[/QUOTE]

I didn't ask you for areas .... how about quoting percentages. [/QUOTE]

Percentages mean nothing.For example the thermostat in my room reads 72 F and I need to wear a thick sweater indoors in the winter months.In the summer the thermostat reads 67 F and I am comfortable in a T-shirt.

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

quote:

Originally posted by Ready Aim Shoot:

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

The Zambezi valley might be more humid than other regions nearby but a joke compared to serious humid areas in the world were there is no oxygen in the air to breath and you sweat 24hrs/day, all year long.

What is your definition of a "serious" or high humidity level?

I can deal with hot and dry. 115-120 @ 8-10% humidity is not actually that bad.

To give you specifics, the town we fly into for Brazil fishing trips is Manaus. It is an actual seaport where the Rio Negro and the Solimoes rivers meet to form the Amazon proper.

I looked just now at current weather. It is 77 deg F with 88% humidity. I would be far more comfortable at 110 and 8%.

Fishing in it is an odd feeling. The heat feels different there, the Suns location in the sky means there is much less atmosphere for it to pass through. You simply move the boat into the shade and that feeling disappears immediately.

Granted, sitting in a boat fishing, is not a very strenuous activity.

quote:

I didn't ask you for areas .... how about quoting percentages. coffee

Percentages mean nothing.For example the thermostat in my room reads 72 F and I need to wear a thick sweater indoors in the winter months.In the summer the thermostat reads 67 F and I am comfortable in a T-shirt.[/quote]

You don't have a clue and not surprising either.

How about trying a mean average temp. range between 80F to 100F with humidity levels between 70% to 90% ?

What I have just quoted are figure we live with on a daily basis in Tanzania though granted that the humidity levels drop at higher altitudes while midday temps can hit as high as 104F.

So to say we exaggerate about our weather is far from true.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

quote:

Originally posted by Ready Aim Shoot:

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

The Zambezi valley might be more humid than other regions nearby but a joke compared to serious humid areas in the world were there is no oxygen in the air to breath and you sweat 24hrs/day, all year long.

What is your definition of a "serious" or high humidity level?

I can deal with hot and dry. 115-120 @ 8-10% humidity is not actually that bad.

To give you specifics, the town we fly into for Brazil fishing trips is Manaus. It is an actual seaport where the Rio Negro and the Solimoes rivers meet to form the Amazon proper.

I looked just now at current weather. It is 77 deg F with 88% humidity. I would be far more comfortable at 110 and 8%.

Fishing in it is an odd feeling. The heat feels different there, the Suns location in the sky means there is much less atmosphere for it to pass through. You simply move the boat into the shade and that feeling disappears immediately.

Granted, sitting in a boat fishing, is not a very strenuous activity.

Steve has many good points.

Having worked in both humid areas (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Gulf areas in Texas and Louisiana) and the desert areas in Arizona and California.

One needed to pay attention to the heat index, wind and humidity. All played a part in keeping your workers and your self safe. You can purchase little gizmos to give you that information. I have worked where the humidity was 100% humidity, and your dripping wet just standing, and if your body is working right you will have a steady stream of sweat in such conditions. When you are working at the low end near 5% humidity, your sweat will dry almost immediately.

Working along the Mississippi River, you experienced humidity and the summer heat. You were always looking for a gentle breeze to help cool you off. Working in Galveston Texas, you have both the heat and humidity, made a trip down there 2 years ago and just realized how harsh it can be in August/September. In the desert of California when the temp were near 130 degrees, the humidity was usually low, however a slight breeze felt like you were on fire.

Here is a Temperature and humidity chart that is helpful. Bear in mind that being fit and in shape you will be able to handle the heat and humidity better than someone who is over weight and not in fighting condition.

http://www.worksafesask.ca/wp-...12/Humidex-chart.gif

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/...13848_59898ee88e.jpg

Where we live, humidity reaches almost 100% many months and the heat is so you can cook eggs on the hood of your car!

Choose another month.

Cal, given your description of your own temperature comfort zone, I think it is unlikely that you'll find a way to be "comfortable" in Zim in October. As you say, the hunting can be great then. September through November are my favorite times to hunt there. But it can be brutally hot during midday and difficult to sleep at night, making whatever hunting you're able to do less enjoyable than in June or July. My advice is to pick another time to go.

Do you guys mix electrolytes into you drinking water bottles?

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
Good old fashion walking and some weight workout is plenty for Africa
High altitude, yes , you might wanna do a little more
Thing is, most of us international hunters ar over 50 and not endurance, high intensity athletes
Just eat well there and hydrate in that extreme heat

Milan, you're 100% accurate. Thing go into the weeds pretty fast eh?

BTW, I'm 60 in one month and stillride/race at a pretty high level. I pay extreme attention to the details. the three rules to win by...Sleep, Nutrition, Hydration.

I hear you Steve, 59 now and yes, not as fast as I used to be ...

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Canada:
Do you guys mix electrolytes into you drinking water bottles?

Yes. Good idea. May want probiotics as well.

Been there a few times in October. During the worst sun when usually many take a nap or something I Will sit in the sun recharging the the "batteries". Living up north we need to take our chances for some sun you should know that Cal

Also that dry heat doesn't bother me at all, when the rain starts and humidity comes that's another story.

quote:

Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:
Been there a few times in October. During the worst sun when usually many take a nap or something I Will sit in the sun recharging the the "batteries". Living up north we need to take our chances for some sun you should know that Cal

Also that dry heat doesn't bother me at all, when the rain starts and humidity comes that's another story.

When I arrived on my first three trips to Africa, life had burnt me out and my skin would barely see any sunshine for sometimes years straight.When I took off my shirt and pants my body was a sickly light grey.In Makuti,at camp at noon when everyone doze I would sit on a chair at the fire pit soaking up the sun, drinking mazoa juice on ice and listening to the birds singing and loving it.

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Canada:
Do you guys mix electrolytes into you drinking water bottles?

I have not done that. Just water is all I have drunk.

The local stuff, filtered from a jug, or bottled water, which is also local, and I'm not sure much better.

In sufficient quantities, it works.

In fact, when the ambient temperature is 100+ degrees, and even when the H20 is lukewarm, it tastes better than an ice cold bottle of Cristal Brut.

You can get little packages of electrolytes at a health food store. Also works great for "Jet Lag" on the long trip over. Brian

Thanks for the input. Looks like I will land in Bulawayo in late June.
-10 F this am and went for a comfortable one hour walk. Will shoot some clays tomorrow.
Cheers, all.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Thanks for the input. Looks like I will land in Bulawayo in late June.
-10 F this am and went for a comfortable one hour walk. Will shoot some clays tomorrow.
Cheers, all.
Cal

And I went for a comfortable bike ride with an outer layer this morning. It’s was 65 degrees.

PM me your address, I’m gonna send you something

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Canada:
Do you guys mix electrolytes into you drinking water bottles?

I have not done that. Just water is all I have drunk.

The local stuff, filtered from a jug, or bottled water, which is also local, and I'm not sure much better.

In sufficient quantities, it works.

In fact, when the ambient temperature is 100+ degrees, and even when the H20 is lukewarm, it tastes better than an ice cold bottle of Cristal Brut.

Damn near nothing tastes better than Cristal Brut....

I don’t even have a clue what Cristal Brut is.

But when hunting or working on the ranch in 100+ weather as I have since I was 6...I just drink water and carry on. Really never gave it much thought.

Cristal is a damn fine champagne.....

I surmised by the name. It was just never on the menu of any of the watering holes I frequented.

I take powdered drinks - the ones with real sugar, I hate sugar substitute or sugarless!

I keep these in my bag in the truck, and only drink when we get back to the truck.

I bring enough to share with everyone in our team, trackers and game scout included.

I never drink while out walking, and this never bothered me at all.

Sometimes I can go all day with nothing, apart from a couple of mugs of coffee at breakfast.

Generally, if we find tracks and intend to follow them, I would drink a soft drink before heading out.

Lately I have been doing a lot of jogging and get really thirsty towards the end.When I get back I find that a large glass of Tropicana orange juice takes all my thirst away.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I take powdered drinks - the ones with real sugar, I hate sugar substitute or sugarless!

I keep these in my bag in the truck, and only drink when we get back to the truck.

I bring enough to share with everyone in our team, trackers and game scout included.

I never drink while out walking, and this never bothered me at all.

Sometimes I can go all day with nothing, apart from a couple of mugs of coffee at breakfast.

Generally, if we find tracks and intend to follow them, I would drink a soft drink before heading out.

Pretty much exactly the same for me.

Did the Omay in October. It was tough. What worked for me: Set the walking pace for something you can manage, mindful of how many days your hunt will last.
Drink water on a schedule so you don't get behind on hydration. Most important bring a battery operated fan and some frog towels that you wet and put on you at night. This saved my bacon as the night time temperatures were in the nineties. If you don't get sleep at night dealing with the daytime temperatures only makes it more miserable.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Gents:
How does one from a cold climate adjust to hunt in the heat of Zimbabwe? Being from Alaska I am comfortable in 5-10 degrees C. 15 is warm and anything over 20C starts to get uncomfortable.

Is there any way to adjsut one's body to the heat?

Cal

Yes.
Exercise in the heat, at least two hours per day.

The US Army recommends this for two weeks for their Ranger school candidates. Longer for those with >15min 2 mile run times!

So, moving somewhere hot a month before your planned trip and cardio for 2 hours per day and you will be ready.


https://www.usariem.army.mil/a...imatizationGuide.pdf

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Gents:
How does one from a cold climate adjust to hunt in the heat of Zimbabwe? Being from Alaska I am comfortable in 5-10 degrees C. 15 is warm and anything over 20C starts to get uncomfortable.

Is there any way to adjsut one's body to the heat?

Cal

Yes.
Exercise in the heat, at least two hours per day.

The US Army recommends this for two weeks for their Ranger school candidates. Longer for those with >15min 2 mile run times!

So, moving somewhere hot a month before your planned trip and cardio for 2 hours per day and you will be ready.


https://www.usariem.army.mil/a...imatizationGuide.pdf

Great advise but he problem is there is no heat here in rural Alaska in the summer.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Gents:
How does one from a cold climate adjust to hunt in the heat of Zimbabwe? Being from Alaska I am comfortable in 5-10 degrees C. 15 is warm and anything over 20C starts to get uncomfortable.

Is there any way to adjsut one's body to the heat?

Cal

Yes.
Exercise in the heat, at least two hours per day.

The US Army recommends this for two weeks for their Ranger school candidates. Longer for those with >15min 2 mile run times!

So, moving somewhere hot a month before your planned trip and cardio for 2 hours per day and you will be ready.


https://www.usariem.army.mil/a...imatizationGuide.pdf

Great advise but he problem is there is no heat here in rural Alaska in the summer.

It's still pretty hot and humid in SW Missouri a month before your trip!

quote:

Originally posted by 4-5-0:
Did the Omay in October. It was tough. What worked for me: Set the walking pace for something you can manage, mindful of how many days your hunt will last.
Drink water on a schedule so you don't get behind on hydration. Most important bring a battery operated fan and some frog towels that you wet and put on you at night. This saved my bacon as the night time temperatures were in the nineties. If you don't get sleep at night dealing with the daytime temperatures only makes it more miserable.

I likewise hunted the Omar in October and did exactly the same thing. The fan and wet microfiber towel were lifesavers at night. I also had the staff move my bed outside onto the porch and hang the mozzie net from from the roof. The hippos wondering through camp at night necessitated a loaded rifle under the bed but wasn’t a problem.i kept a water bottle in my cargo pocket, drank often, and replaced it as needed from the trackers back pack.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:

quote:

Originally posted by 4-5-0:
Did the Omay in October. It was tough. What worked for me: Set the walking pace for something you can manage, mindful of how many days your hunt will last.
Drink water on a schedule so you don't get behind on hydration. Most important bring a battery operated fan and some frog towels that you wet and put on you at night. This saved my bacon as the night time temperatures were in the nineties. If you don't get sleep at night dealing with the daytime temperatures only makes it more miserable.

I likewise hunted the Omar in October and did exactly the same thing. The fan and wet microfiber towel were lifesavers at night. I also had the staff move my bed outside onto the porch and hang the mozzie net from from the roof. The hippos wondering through camp at night necessitated a loaded rifle under the bed but wasn’t a problem.i kept a water bottle in my cargo pocket, drank often, and replaced it as needed from the trackers back pack.

Was that the hunt were you passed out on the trail and had to be revived?

I would pick another month. You will enjoy you time in the bush much more. The tsetse flies, ticks and mosquitos increase in warmer months.

We were hunting Chete at this time.

Followed buffalo bulls into the hills, and managed to shoot one about lunch time.

Trees were bare of leaves, and no big trees anyway.

Roy went to get the truck, and 3 of us stayed behind.

Two German friends, a father and son.

Where our bull was it was totally void of any trees.

There were a few mopane trees with no leaves, scattered about.

Each of us had to find one about 8 inches in diameter to use as a sun shade!!

We were separated by about 100 meters or so.

By the time Roy turned up with the truck and water, Oscar, the father was about half dead!

Walter spent time wetting a cloth and wiping his head and face.

He kept saying “I am dying”

And we were telling not to die, as the ground was very rocky so we would not be able to bury him!

A similar thing happened to us one October in the Caprivi.

We came back to the Toyota after a long stalk, and paused for a quick lunch.

There were no trees of any size to be found anywhere.

The only ones in sight were bare, plus the majority of them had been flattened by elephants.

It was a wasteland.

We ate quickly, then gulped some water and stretched out on our backs for a nap in the only shade we could find - underneath the truck.

I told Vaughan his daily rates were too high.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
A similar thing happened to us one October in the Caprivi.

We came back to the Toyota after a long stalk, and paused for a quick lunch.

There were no trees of any size to be found anywhere.

The only ones in sight were bare, plus the majority of them had been flattened by elephants.

It was a wasteland.

We ate quickly, then gulped some water and stretched out on our backs for a nap in the only shade we could find - underneath the truck.

I told Vaughan his daily rates were too high.

Most women would pay higher daily rates for sun Ha Ha

quote:

Originally posted by Ready Aim Shoot:

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:

quote:

Originally posted by 4-5-0:
Did the Omay in October. It was tough. What worked for me: Set the walking pace for something you can manage, mindful of how many days your hunt will last.
Drink water on a schedule so you don't get behind on hydration. Most important bring a battery operated fan and some frog towels that you wet and put on you at night. This saved my bacon as the night time temperatures were in the nineties. If you don't get sleep at night dealing with the daytime temperatures only makes it more miserable.

I likewise hunted the Omar in October and did exactly the same thing. The fan and wet microfiber towel were lifesavers at night. I also had the staff move my bed outside onto the porch and hang the mozzie net from from the roof. The hippos wondering through camp at night necessitated a loaded rifle under the bed but wasn’t a problem.i kept a water bottle in my cargo pocket, drank often, and replaced it as needed from the trackers back pack.

Was that the hunt were you passed out on the trail and had to be revived?

Nope. That was hunting buffalo in the Caprivi in October. Heat exhaustion is no joke and it bit me good. My bad...

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Canada:
Do you guys mix electrolytes into you drinking water bottles?

Absolutely!! It's all we drank on the Ele hunt with Buzz. He didn't think the heat was that bad but it just about killed us on the longer days.

FIZZ

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Canada:
Do you guys mix electrolytes into you drinking water bottles?

Absolutely!! It's all we drank on the Ele hunt with Buzz. He didn't think the heat was that bad but it just about killed us on the longer days.

FIZZ

Caffeine in it... no thanks
Coffee in the morning Ok but caffeine throughout the day, I stay away from it

You suffer a lot, then cowboy up, go home and want go back?? beats me why but I do..I get by just thinking about the tetsi in Tanzania!!

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
You suffer a lot, then cowboy up, go home and want go back?? beats me why but I do..I get by just thinking about the tetsi in Tanzania!!

True.

Some of us had to put up with someone who gave the hippos a run for their money with all the audio he was producing while sleeping!

On one hunt I was asked which tent I want, I said the furthest one from camp.

It just so happens that that tent was right at the edge, and had a hippo path running next to it.

The hippos were actually rubbing against it, as they went in and out of the river at night!

The tent next to me had Ray.

At some stage at night I was not sure who was louder, the hippo bulls serenading their cows or Ray dreaming about Ashley Judd!

.
It made it up to 47 C. (about 116 F) in Forestry area near Hwanke.
.
That's why the call October "Suicide Month"

quote:

That's why the call October "Suicide Month"

Yep